Hiking Hobby

[EL34]

I guess I can call this a hobby.
I mountain bike 3 days a weeK in Pisgah
but I also do hikes with my two dogs

Here's a few videos from the last few hikes

[EL34]

09/22/2018 hike

[EL34]

09/08 video hike

[EL34]

09/03/2018 hiking video

[shooter]

Flashback!!
 
not familiar with that rock, but there's a place called stone Mountain, 500+Ft That's where I took my longest whipper, 24' landed upside down 8' from the deck, my belayer, Becky was 8' off the deck looking into my eyes, she was 15.  She started tearing up, asked if I was ok n I was, asked how she was doing, said ok. once we're both on the ground, she hits me in the arm hard, yells ( expletives to follow(SHIT, SHIT, Fuk). She's 28, We still laugh about S.S.F. quote, we both seen a miracle that day.

those horizontal cuts we refer to as "eyebrows" distinct to NC.  Worth reading about the NC climbing history, they produced some of the most run out scary-@@#'d climbs you will find in the lower 48.
when I'd get a budding lead climber, I'd take them to NC, table rock/Linville gorge, if they made it there, I told 'em they were qualified to try any rock in America

you live in an amazing state

[davidwpack]

Yeah I used to go to Linnville Falls and Grandfather Mountain yearly. Awesome place.

[EL34]

I wondered what those horizontal cuts were
Thanks for the info

you live in an amazing state

That's why I moved here in 2001 

[shooter]

fwiw
hiking, like most outdoor sports has a rating system 1-5. 5 is what we call rock climbing, it's the point in hiking where you can no longer progress safely without training and specialized equipment.  Most of my hiking was in the 3-4 range, typically with strenuous ratings.  A couple highlights, black mountain campground(NC) to Mt Mitchell.  Indian head trail (IIRC) to Mt Washington summit.

this link is pretty good overview of the Linville gorge amphitheater area

 https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105873291/amphitheater
I climbed the Prow, Mummy, Daddy, and Good Heavens there, along with a couple "un-named", (I got lost:) climbs

If you're youngish, I was ~ 45, there is a killer (literally if not careful) hike to the river ~ 1/2 way from table rock parking lot to Ship rock, you drop down into the gorge, typically done as an over-nighter, not well marked or traveled, but if you're just crazy enough.... 

[EL34]

I am more into mountain biking than hiking
I MTB 3 days a week

When the weather turns nice like it has lately I will hike
I hike with my dogs

And zero interest in climbing up rock faces

All my hikes are done and over in less than 3 hours
No overnight camping in tents or hammocks


I have a van setup that is way more comfy than tents and hammocks

[davidwpack]

I used to do a lot of rappelling around this way in WV. I'm about 10 minutes from the New River Gorge. Bridge Day is coming up in a couple weeks. Only day of the year base jumping is legal. Still thinking of trying it one year.

[shooter]

New River Gorge

Only spent 2 days there, during Bridge fest week. We did 12 climbs in 1 day 
most were 80 - 100'  cap rocks just off the bridge area.  They did let you rope jump, clip in at at center, then move to one end, jump off the bridge n catch some serious "big air".
I spent most of my WV time at Seneca Rocks, another great area, great state

There were 2 roads down from the top of Table rock, one was like a 30 min 90% dirt, Get someone to spot you, wear a helmet!  I couldn't imagine riding a bike down it but I did see some!  I got pretty good with my jeeps and Rally cars on that road.  Probably all paved with million $ homes now 

[davidwpack]

Yeah, Seneca Rocks are nice. I haven't been up that way for a few years though. Dolly Sods is up near there too. One of the strangest places I've been. You're in WV for the hike up then you get towards the top and the scenery, flora, and everything changes. Looks like you're on a different continent. You should check it out you're if back down that way.

[pompeiisneaks]

Mine and the wife's latest hobby has been rock climbing, that thing looks outstanding.  We love it.  Out here in the PNW there are tons of great climbs.  I may have to find an excuse to go down and climb that though :D

Great vids

~Phil

[shooter]

may have to find an excuse

not sure your climbing level, I believe the wall Doug show's in the 1st clip is in the 10 -13 range with 20' run-outs between bolts.  the NC climbers came up with a unique belay style, WHEN the leader falls the belayer runs like hell in the opposite direction to "reel in" some of the slack, that keeps the leader falls to 20' cheese graters,  apposed to 40' cheese graters 

Now that I'm outta the climbing game I still get to WV,  I have been to Dolly Sods 3 times now, truly an interesting place.  there are a couple steams I've panned, maybe 30 cents in dust, but just walking around, driving the dirt roads, hiking, you can kill a few days in paradise!

[pompeiisneaks]

may have to find an excuse

not sure your climbing level, I believe the wall Doug show's in the 1st clip is in the 10 -13 range with 20' run-outs between bolts.  the NC climbers came up with a unique belay style, WHEN the leader falls the belayer runs like hell in the opposite direction to "reel in" some of the slack, that keeps the leader falls to 20' cheese graters,  apposed to 40' cheese graters 

Now that I'm outta the climbing game I still get to WV,  I have been to Dolly Sods 3 times now, truly an interesting place.  there are a couple steams I've panned, maybe 30 cents in dust, but just walking around, driving the dirt roads, hiking, you can kill a few days in paradise!

In the gym I'm pushing the 11c/d range right now, but still can't alwasy do all 11b's.  Outdoors, on the other hand, is way harder, not sure how that works exactly but I've not done more than a 10c outdoors yet.  Is that climb also trad or is it bolted anywhere for sport?  I pretty much am planning on avoiding trad like the plague :D (maybe I should stop hijacking the hiking thread lol)

~Phil

[Ed_Chambley]

Wow Doug, I was at Pisgah Saturday, but it was about daybreak and Smokey Mountain smoke was in my eyes.  I could see about 6 foot of Sun Wall.  Mainly, I hike Wayah Gap iinto what is called the Bald Tops.  Like you, the only hiking I do is fall and early winter.  Somtimes later in the winter the days will be nice enough.


I have biked a little.  I just much prefer the river for rafting and we do have a class 4 not too far.  At my age, a class 4 is enough and if I have any rookies along I stay class 2 or under.  6 years ago a surgery became available to fix my neck and slowley I began getting back in good physiclal condition.  It is easy to tell when you are beginning to get more fit.  I have met some younger guys and ladies who go to Western Carolina I rafted with a few times this year.  It really felt good when I overheard one of the guys say, "yes, he is the guide and the old dude will save you ass."


Weird how medicine gave me another chance at being 25 again!  I am sure just before I die, you will hear the words " Hey ya'll, watch this.


Beautiful country you and I get to live in.  Have you ever seen anyone flying an Ultralight over Pisgah?  Got one on my mind that is for sale and it is a really good build.  Neighbor's widow has it, but she wants to decide if she will sell it to me.  She says they are too dangerous, even more dangerous than my Motorcycle.


Thanks for the videos.  I am back in Atlanta today for 3 days, then back up to Franlklin NC.  It is getting fall festival season and even though they are all the same, it is still fun to watch.

[shooter]

climbing IS hiking, just in the 3rd dimension 

avoiding trad like the plague

I'm 'ol skol trad, I hated sport weenies 

EDIT: meant in jest, in 20yrs I have never met a climber I didn't like.

NC (in the '90s) was always known for it's trad climbing, when bolts came out lots of locals would go out bolt chopping.  There are bolted routes, but the one's I "tried" were like I said 20' tween them, less than vertical friction climbing (no real holds, just small bumps or protrusions)

pushing the 11c/d range right now

When I was training nubbies, I would tell them to downgrade by 2 outdoors.  I was 10a in the gyms, but considered myself a solid 7 trad climber.  Most of the trad I liked was put up originally when the grades were "closed" 0-9. then in the 80's(?) it opened up, nobody went back and "re-graded" to the "new" numbering,  so I'd jump on a 5.5 and get spanked, because they also "sandbagged" the grades 
The Daddy for example was originally 5.4, when I did it 5.5, now 5.6, which I consider correct.
get a $1,000 in cams, load up 2 ropes, beeners, runners, tri-cams and nuts, (25lb pack), hike a mile or 2 then pick a sweet line and go 

[EL34]

Wow Doug, I was at Pisgah Saturday, but it was about daybreak and Smokey Mountain smoke was in my eyes.  I could see about 6 foot of Sun Wall.  Mainly, I hike Wayah Gap iinto what is called the Bald Tops.

Beautiful country you and I get to live in.  Have you ever seen anyone flying an Ultralight over Pisgah? 

Pisgah is huge and scattered all over the state, so it's easy to say I was in Pisgah :)

Never heard of these two places - Wayah Gap - Bald Tops
It's not around here anywhere

Never seen anyone flying an ultra light here

[Ed_Chambley]

I travel lots in the early morning.  Wayah Bald is a lookout tower in the Nantahala and is a trail crossing of 6 trails that are common hiking.  I believe you are quite a bit further northwest heading towards Brevard.  Not too far from where looking glass falls, well not too awful far cause Sun Wall is a ways up the trail.


You were just writin about hicking and Sun Wall and early Saturday morning the fog was on the ground.


I asked about the ultralite because I have never seen anyone fly one there either.
 

[EL34]

Yes, I live right out side the main entrance to Pisgah near Brevard

[Ed_Chambley]

The Western Carolina Mountains to me are really unbelievable.  The videos you posted simply reminded of this area, which I have spent many days stopming through the woods.  Very popular trails for the area, and not too far from where many bike riders share the road.   I like the bike shop at 276 at Brevard, but it is a tad pricy.  I did have to get a repair done there.   A new bike shop opened in Sylva recently.  Nice shop, if you get over that way or feel like driving an hour .


I live in Atlanta Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  I live in Franklin NC the rest of the time.  Rafting is better and the drive is better as well, but when the smoke is thick at about 4:30am (when I generall awake) i head over the Parkway near the lodge.  When the sun burns off the top and you can see over the mountains, The ridge for miles looks like a frozen lake.  Takes about 35 to 40 drive.


Plus, I really like the area starting at HWY 215 and 276 heading west (in circles and sometimes 9 degree grades) from Bethel to Brevard.

[shooter]

The ridge for miles looks like a frozen lake

that view, no matter where it's seen is one of the best experiences words can't describe.  Some of my favorite spots have been Shenandoah, Blue ridge pkwy, Eastern Kty, Yosemite.......
get high(not that kind:), get up early and leave "thinking" in the tent